Top Banner 486X60

Autographed T206 Cobb with Note Sells for $27,600

It’s not known for certain how many autographed T206 Ty Cobb cards reside in private collections, but it’s safe to say the number is barely into double digits. A rare opportunity, then, presented itself recently when Imperial Sports offered one, signed in Cobb’s famous green ink.

The red backed card was consigned by the grandson of the original recipient, a North Carolina man who sent away to Nevada for the Hall of Famer’s autograph in 1957. Cobb not only signed the card, but included a note. The items generated 26 bids and sold for $27,600 after opening with a $5,000 minimum.

Among the other items up for bid in Imperial’s fall auction were several Hall of Famer autographed items. A rare, single-signed Mel Ott baseball, sold for $14,950. An official American League Babe Ruth autographed baseball, dating to the late 1920s or early 30s, went for the same amount.

A ball dating from Ruth’s barnstorming days with Lou Gehrig in 1927 and signed by both Yankee greats, drew 18 bids and a final realized price of $14,375.

Mickey Mantle’s 458th home run ball, dating from the 1965 season and accompanied by a letter from the owner, went for $10,350.

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].